Abdominal Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

A back, side, or abdominal support for use when exercising. The support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support has a first base surface and a second base surface. The second base surface is generally planar. The first base surface is at least partially arcuate, and adapted to substantially complement a first surface of one of the auxiliary supports. A second surface of one of the auxiliary supports is adapted to substantially complement a first surface of another one of the auxiliary supports. The first base surface may be on the top or the bottom of the base support. The auxiliary supports stack to add height to the back support without substantially increasing its length or width. A person using the support to exercise may choose the difficulty of the exercise by choosing how many of the at least one auxiliary supports to use in conjunction with the base support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and particularly to modifiable supports for back or abdominal exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a composite support adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen of a person. The composite support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support comprises a first base support surface and a second base support surface. The at least one auxiliary support comprises a first auxiliary support surface and a second auxiliary support surface. The first auxiliary support surface is substantially complimentary to the first base support surface or the second auxiliary support surface of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports. A length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a back support for use while exercising. The back support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support comprises a generally planar lower surface and an upper surface. At least a portion of the upper surface is arcuate. The at least one auxiliary support comprises a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface of the at least one auxiliary support is characterized by a contour adapted to substantially compliment the upper surface of the base support or another of the at least one auxiliary supports. At least a portion of the upper surface of the auxiliary support is arcuate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a back support in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein is a composite support 10 for engaging the back or abdomen of a person, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The composite support 10 comprises a base support 12 and at least one auxiliary support 14. As shown, the composite support 10 comprises the base support 12 and four auxiliary supports 14.

The base support 12 comprises a first base support surface 16 and a second base support surface 18. The at least one auxiliary support 14 comprises a first auxiliary support surface 20 and a second auxiliary support surface 22. The first auxiliary support surface 20 is substantially complementary to the first base support surface 16 or the second auxiliary support surface 22 of another of the auxiliary supports 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first base support surface 16 may be on a top side of the base support 12. Preferably, the second base support surface 18 comprises a planar surface and the first base support surface 16 comprises an arcuate surface. More preferably, the first auxiliary support surface 20 comprises an arcuate surface that is complementary with the first base support surface 16 of the base support 12. Thus, the top side of the base support 12 is substantially complementary with the first auxiliary support surface 20 such that the auxiliary support 14 may be stacked on top of the base support. The first auxiliary support surface 20 may also be coupled with the first base support surface 16 in any manner to maintain the connection. For example, snaps, tape, Velcro, or other means for securing the pieces are contemplated. Alternatively, a circumferential wrap or a bag-like enclosure of cloth or other material may be used to keep the base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 together. Such a wrap or enclosure would preferably be made of a washable and durable material and may comprise a strap or handle for ease of carrying the support 10.

The composite support 10 may further comprise the additional auxiliary supports 14 which may be added or removed as desired. The first auxiliary support surface 20 of an additional auxiliary support 14 is preferably substantially complementary with the second auxiliary support surface 22 of at least one of the auxiliary supports. In this manner, the auxiliary supports 14 may be stacked to increase a height of the composite support 10. The at least one auxiliary support 14 is stacked on top of the base support 12. Preferably, stacking the auxiliary support 14 on top of the base support increases the height of the composite support 10 without substantially changing its horizontal dimensions. As the additional auxiliary supports 14 are added to the composite support 10, the height is preferably increased without changing the horizontal dimensions of the composite support. Consequently, a length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the composite support 10 a comprises a base support 30 and at least one auxiliary support 32. The base support 30 comprises a first base support surface 34 is on a bottom side of the base support. Preferably in this embodiment, a second base support surface 36 comprises an arcuate surface and the first base support surface 34 comprises a substantially planar surface. The at least one auxiliary support 32 comprises a first auxiliary support surface 38 and a second auxiliary support surface 40. Preferably, the first auxiliary support surface 38 is substantially planar and the second auxiliary support surface 40 is also substantially planar. In this configuration, the base support 30 and the at least one auxiliary support 32 are stacked with the base support on top. Additional supports 32 comprise the planar upper surface 38 and the planar lower surface 40, and are placed successively under the previous support.

In this embodiment, a first horizontal dimension, a width, of the base support 30 and a first horizontal dimension, a width, of the at least one auxiliary support 32 are preferably the same. A second horizontal dimension, a length of the base support 30 is substantially the same as a second horizontal dimension, a length, of the at least one auxiliary support 32. Thus, in this embodiment, as auxiliary supports 32 are added and the height of the composite support 10 a increases, the horizontal dimensions, the width and the length, remain substantially the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, other modifications to the geometry of the composite support 10 or 10 a are also anticipated. For example, the base support 12 or 30 may have a circular cross-section, building to a maximum height in a center of the composite support 10 or 10 a. The edges of the base support 12 or 30 may be straight or curved. The maximum height may be in the center, offset, or near an edge.

Each of the first auxiliary support surfaces 20 or 38 is designed to be substantially complimentary with the first base support surface 16 or 34 or the second auxiliary support surface 22 or 40 of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports 14 or 32. Preferably, each of the auxiliary supports 14 or 32 has varying dimension, in order to allow matching surfaces to be more complementary. With reference again to FIG. 1, this feature is illustrated. As shown, there are four auxiliary supports 14. As each auxiliary support 14 is added to the base support 12 or another auxiliary support, the resulting combination is a separate embodiment of the composite support 10. Each auxiliary support 14 comprises a different dimension, such that the first auxiliary support surface 20 of one auxiliary support is the inverse of the second auxiliary support surface 22 of the additional auxiliary support adapted to be stacked.

The base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 are preferably composed of the same material. Preferably, the supports 12 and 14 are composed of a solid substance that can support the back of a person lying in a prone position. More preferably, the solid substance comprises a latex or polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the solid substance may comprise rubber or a combination of compounds. It is preferable for the material to be such that the coefficient of friction between supports is high. A high coefficient of friction will reduce slippage between the supports and protect users from discomfort. Alternatively, other methods for securing the supports 12 and 14, as discussed above, are contemplated.

The supports can be made through various methods. The supports can be bias cut into pre-determined shapes or created using an injection molding process such as injection molding.

In another alternative embodiment, the composite support 10 may comprise bladders of air. In this embodiment, the base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 comprise separate bladders. Each support 12 and 14 may be activated by fully inflating the support with air. Full inflation is achieved when the internal pressure in a support is high enough to prevent the air from becoming substantially displaced by the weight of a user during use. The composite support 10 may comprise several individual bladders, or one permanently connected composite bladder with a base support chamber and auxiliary support chambers.

While many configurations are anticipated, the embodiment of FIG. 1 enjoys several advantages. In this embodiment, the interface between individual support members 12 and 14 is curved. The curved surface increases the stability of the composite support 10, decreasing the likelihood that slippage will occur. Further, the embodiment of FIG. 1 does not substantially gain width or length as height is added to the composite support 10. Thus, a top surface of the composite support 10 engages the same area of a user's back without regard to how many auxiliary supports are used.

The back support of the current invention is preferably used for back or abdominal exercises. One such exercise is a sit-up, although the device may also be used for various exercises where a person is on their side or on their stomach. In a beginning embodiment of the sit-up, the base support 12 is used alone. A user places the lower second surface 18 of the base support 12 on a planar surface, such as a mat or floor. The user sits proximate one edge of the base support 12, with the user's legs bent. The user then slowly descends to a prone position; the user's back engaging the upper first surface 16 of the base support 12. The user then slowly returns to the sitting position, utilizing muscles in the user's back and abdomen. This is repeated a number of times, as directed by the user's particular exercise regime.

In a more advanced embodiment of the above method, a composite support 10 is formed utilizing the base support 12 and one or more auxiliary supports 14. When a user finds that a previous embodiment of the exercise is too easy, an auxiliary support 14 can be added to increase the distance between the highest point of the composite support and the ground. The steps of the exercise are then executed with the composite support 10, as directed by the user's particular exercise regime. The function of the back support is similar concerning other back exercises, such as stretching and flexibility exercises.

Various modifications in the design and operation of the present invention are contemplated without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described. 

1. A composite support adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen of a person, the composite support comprising: a base support comprising a first base support surface and a second base support surface; and at least one auxiliary support comprising a first auxiliary support surface and a second auxiliary support surface; such that the first auxiliary support surface is substantially complementary to the first base support surface or the second auxiliary support surface of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports; and wherein a length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.
 2. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the first base support surface is on a top side of the base support.
 3. The composite support of claim 2 wherein the second base support surface comprises a substantially planar surface and the first base support surface comprises an arcuate surface.
 4. The composite support of claim 2 further comprising an additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to increase a height of the composite support without substantially increasing a length of the composite support.
 5. The support of claim 1 wherein the first base support surface is on a bottom side of the base support.
 6. The composite support of claim 5 wherein the second base support surface comprises an arcuate surface and the first base support surface comprises a substantially planar surface.
 7. The support of claim 6 wherein the first auxiliary support surface is substantially planar and the second auxiliary support surface is substantially planar.
 8. The support of claim 7 wherein a horizontal dimension of the base support and a horizontal dimension of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.
 9. The support of claim 8 further comprising an additional support having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the additional support adapted to be placed under the at least one auxiliary support such that a height of the composite support is increased.
 10. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the composite support is made of latex foam.
 11. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders.
 12. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected.
 13. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection molding.
 14. A support for use when exercising, the support comprising: a base support, comprising a generally planar lower surface and an upper surface; wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is arcuate; and at least one auxiliary support, comprising: a lower surface characterized by a contour adapted to substantially complement the upper surface of the base support or another of the at least one auxiliary supports; and an upper surface; wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the auxiliary support is arcuate.
 15. The composite support of claim 14 further comprising an additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to increase a height of the composite support without substantially increasing a length of the composite support.
 16. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are made of latex foam.
 17. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders
 18. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected.
 19. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection molding. 